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Local Update, 18 May 2026
Barnet Voice for Mental Health
020 3475 1314
bvmh@inclusionbarnet.org.uk
Welcome to our weekly newsletter about mental health services and support available in Barnet and beyond. Also bringing you updates on Inclusion Barnet mental health news. Produced by Ed Peston, Communications Assistant.
Events and news from the web
Barnet Service User and Carer Forum
Date: Wednesday 20th May 2026
(Runs on the third Wednesday of every month)
Time: 14:00 –15:30
Luan Mills, Head of Mental Health at London Borough Barnet (LBB), will share updates from the LBB Mental Health localities teams. Luan would also appreciate the opportunity to hear from Forum members about their experiences of services and will take questions that may relate to the closure of the Network. Also, Nikki Barnett from the Prevention and Wellbeing Team (LBB) will share information and updates around services in Barnet.
Meeting only available online this month.
Microsoft Teams:
Meeting ID: 353 807 566 665 3
Passcode: Rw9ER7zr
Dial in by phone
+44 20 3321 5208,,371942378# United Kingdom, City of London
Phone conference ID: 371 942 378#
Mental health support group (from Keep Your Marbles), Thursday 21 May, 7.00 - 8.30pm
Online hangout to boost your mental health and share good vibes
Gardening for mental health: evidence-based benefits for well-being (from Colorado State University Extension- San Luis Valley Area), Saturday 23 May, 5.00 - 7.00pm
An online event exploring how gardening can boost your mood and mental health.
Book Gardening for mental health: evidence-based benefits for well-being
Mindfulness for analytical types (or people who think too much) (online event from Anita Kishore), Thursday 19 May, 5.30 - 6.00pm
Mindfulness session for analytical people who think too much.
Book Mindfulness for analytical types (or people who think too much)
Healthy lifestyle perinatal programme (online event from Neighbourhood Doulas), Monday 8 June, 10.30 - 12.00pm.
Online healthy lifestyle perinatal programme to improve physical and mental health wellbeing during your pregnancy journey.
Clarity and calm journaling circle (online group from Sue Richards), Tuesdays 8.00 - 9.00pm
Weekly journaling circle for women
Mindfulness based cancer support group (online group from Holo Health), Saturdays, 7.00 - 8.30pm
Free group sessions aiming to reduce stress, improve quality of life, and support recovery in cancer, led by an Oncology Nurse Specialist.
Got a relevant event to share in this newsletter?
Let us know by emailing the details to bvmh@inclusionbarnet.org.uk
Podcasts
Stress navigation podcast (from Stress in Action)
A podcast about stress and its relationship to health and disease.
Depression podcasts (from University of Oxford)
Podcasts on a variety of subjects related to depression
Articles
Is your idea of well-being too small? (from Psychology Today)
Why flourishing depends on more than personal happiness.
Mind responds to mental health staff targets: 'More fundamental rethink about mental health services needed' (from Mind)
Mental health staff targets are positive news, but we need a more fundamental rethink about mental health services.
How clubs can support your mental health (from BBC)
We humans have always looked for ways to connect with each other. In many ways, technology has made it easier than ever – yet some people also report feeling lonelier and more isolated as a result of spending lots of time online.
Family take on charity ride for male mental health (from BBC)
A man is taking on a charity motorbike ride with his family to raise awareness of men's mental health after he struggled for years following a motorbike accident alongside his dad.
Regular Events on the Web
Online wellbeing workshops from Mid West Aries
Offering a range of free courses online via Zoom. Anyone over the age of 18 with an interest in mental health and well-being can sign up for the courses.
International wellbeing support group (From Rain on Me), Monday 18 May, 6.00pm
A free, international safe space to vent and grow with people who understand and accept you.
Regular Events in Barnet
Barnet Friends
Barnet Friends is a free telephone befriending service under the charity, CB Plus. Whether you want someone to talk to, or need some extra motivation to access local wellbeing activities, Barnet Friends can provide a listening ear.
They can support adults aged 18-55 who either live, work or study in Barnet. Their friendly and non-judgemental volunteers can call you once per week for 6-12 months. Their service aims to:
- Reduce feelings of loneliness
- Connect you to local services
- Reduce social isolation
- Provide emotional support
- Empower you to connect with the community
Over the last year they supported 108 people, and matched 26 new clients to their wonderful volunteers. Their personable and empathetic volunteers also carried out just under 600 hours of befriending calls on the phone!
If you are experiencing loneliness now, don't delay; sign up today! You can self refer here. They accept self referrals, as well as referrals through local charities and Social Prescribing Link Workers.
You can also reach them by telephone on 0208 016 0016
Email: befriending@cbplus.org.uk
Client testimonials:
‘Barnet Befriending is a blessing to me. I am very grateful to have been matched with a befriender who is genuinely kind, easy to talk to, supportive and trustworthy. Thank you for giving me so much comfort that I do not need to suffer in silence or do it alone. I will always be grateful.’
‘I will give you 5 stars. Your organisation is very helpful. Also, the volunteer is a very professional man. He helped a lot.’
Barnet Depression Alliance Peer Support Group
A local self-help group for people suffering from depression or depression with anxiety.
Meets twice a month – on a Tuesday evening in North Finchley and on a Monday evening online via Zoom. The group also runs social events throughout the year.
Address: North Finchley
Phone: 0754 118 7907
Email: barnet.depressionalliance@gmail.com
Website: http://www.barnetdepressionalliance.org/
For more details of times and venue please telephone or email
Building Friendship
Building Friendship is a free weekly drop in every Friday for those with mental health difficulties.
Meet at East Barnet Baptist Church hall, EN4 8PS. Come along for a cup of coffee and a friendly chat between 10am and 12noon.
For more information email: buildingfriendship@gmail.com. Or leave a message with your name and contact number on 020 8449 5320.
Sanctuary in Barnet (from Mind in Enfield and Barnet)
Sanctuary in Barnet is a short-term crisis intervention and prevention service. They are open every day of the year, 4:30pm-10pm weekdays and 12-6pm weekends. They act as an A&E and Emergency services alternative, providing support to individuals in the Barnet Borough aged 18+.
Andy's Man Club in Barnet, Every Monday at the Meritage Centre, 7.00 - 9.00pm
Andy's Man Club run talking groups for men who have either been through a storm, are currently going through a storm, have a storm brewing in life or just want to meet a good group of people with the aim of improving one another. No referral, no registration and no charge. Even the brew and biscuits are free!
The Meritage Centre,
Church End,
London
NW4 4JT
Meridian Wellbeing in Barnet
A range of events and activities in Barnet and online including Barnet Wellbeing Hub, Barnet IAPT, Wellbeing Cafe, Wellbeing Workshops, Chinese Wellbeing Services, Supportive Online Communities
More information about Meridian Wellbeing events and activities
Barnet Carers
Barnet Carers provides support and information for unpaid, informal, carers across the London Borough of Barnet. Includes yoga, meditation and mindfulness.
Building Friendship
Building Friendship is a free weekly drop in every Friday for those with mental health difficulties.
Meet at East Barnet Baptist Church hall, EN4 8PS. Come along for a cup of coffee and a friendly chat between 10am and 12noon.
For more information email: buildingfriendship@gmail.com. Or leave a message with your name and contact number on 020 8449 5320.
About Inclusion Barnet
We are a Peer-Led Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisation (DDPO).
Nearly all of our directors and staff have lived experience of disability, including mental health issues and/or long-term health conditions.
We believe that learning to use our lived experience for social change is a skill. We have become experts in harnessing the lived experience of our staff, members, volunteers and the people who use our services to design and deliver higher quality, more person-centred services.
Other services run by Inclusion Barnet that you might be interested in are:
Benefits Advice Service (supporting Disabled people in Barnet to access the benefits they are entitled to).
Touchpoint (supports people experiencing any form of disability in Barnet to access the services and resources they need).
Healthwatch Enfield (an independent, statutory organisation dedicated to improving health and social care services in Enfield).
For more information about the wider range of other work we do please visit our website www.inclusionbarnet.org.uk
Useful links for mental health and wellbeing
Click on the title to go to the individual websites.
LOCAL
- Mind in Barnet - counselling
- Mind in Barnet Sanctuary - find calm, make space, move forward
- Barnet Wellbeing Service
LONDON & NATIONAL
- NHS mental health crisis service: If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, you can contact the NHS mental health crisis service by calling 111 and selecting option 2. This service is available 24 hours a day, seven days per week.
- Good Thinking - free online Mental Wellbeing for London
- Kooth - free, safe and anonymous online support for young people
- Qwell - free online safe and confidential space to share & support
Shout - free, 24/7 text messaging support - text SHOUT to 85258 - Samaritans - free phone & email support in a crisis
Independent Living Centre, c/o Barnet & Southgate College,
7 Bristol Avenue, Colindale, London NW9 4BR
Inclusion Barnet is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.
Registered Charity Number: 1158632
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